KOMENKSWMO

LEAWOOD – Susan G. Komen Kansas & Western Missouri Board of Directors announced that they have selected proven development executive and cancer advocate Erica Terry as CEO and Executive Director. Terry begins her role on April 29, 2019.

Terry joins Komen from The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art where she served as Director, Membership & Corporate Partnerships. Prior to that, she built her career at cancer-related organizations including Saint Luke’s Foundation, LIVESTRONG, and The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

The search for a new permanent CEO began in November of 2018 when Susan G. Komen Greater Kansas City and Susan G. Komen Kansas affiliates merged to become Susan G. Komen Kansas & Western Missouri. Komen affiliates have invested more than $27.5 million in breast health programs in the 112-county Kansas and Missouri service area to date.

Terry will be the newly merged affiliate’s first permanent leader, focusing on the effort to continue increasing impact in existing service areas and to begin implementing expansion of efforts to underserved areas throughout the state.

Kristin Cargin, Board President, led the search with the executive committee, recruitment firm Fenaroli and Associates and the support of the full board.

“We conducted a comprehensive regional search and it led us to a native Kansan who brings experience working in the Greater Kansas City area and throughout the State of Kansas,” said Cargin. “Her Midwestern roots, combined with the work she has done with mission-driven organizations, her proven success in development and her passion for the fight against cancer perfectly positions her to help us save more lives and ultimately end breast cancer forever.”

As part of her personal mission to end cancer, Terry founded and served as president of Tour de BBQ, an annual fundraising bike ride to support young adults with cancer. Other board positions have included Gilda’s Club Kansas City, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Kansas City Chapter and Kansas City Cancer Partnership.

“I couldn’t be more humbled, honored and thankful for the opportunity to lead this important organization as we expand our impact, save lives, and achieve Komen’s Bold Goal to reduce breast cancer deaths by 50% in 2026. Achieving this will not happen if we wait for someone else to do it. We can meet this goal with thoughtful planning, strategic partnerships across the region, and collaborative work to ensure nobody has to suffer from this devastating disease,” said Erica Terry.

Dr. Roy A. Jensen, director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, said that he is absolutely delighted that Terry has been selected for this position. “Erica combines extensive experience in the non-profit world with a longstanding and deeply felt passion for cancer advocacy. I can’t think of anyone who would be better suited to lead this great organization,” commented Dr. Jensen.

Terry holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kansas. She has served as a political activist, partnering with former Kansas State Senator Barbara Allen on the breast cancer license plate and Fred Logan on the Johnson County Education Research Triangle.

About Susan G. Komen®
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit outside of the federal government while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the U.S. by 2026. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $988 million in research and provided more than $2.2 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 60 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. That promise has become Komen’s promise to all people facing breast cancer. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at ww5.komen.org/social.

About Susan G. Komen® Kansas & Western Missouri
Komen Kansas & Western Missouri is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in their local communities. Through signature events like the More Than Pink Walk and BigWigs, Komen Kansas & Western Missouri has invested more than $27.5 million in breast health programs in their 112-county Kansas and Missouri service area and has helped contribute to the more than $988 million invested globally in research. For more information, call 816.842.0410, visit komenkswmo.org or behindtheribbon.org. Connect with us on social media: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.